News 08:00

BULLETIN 12 April 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA is calling on minister Nzimande to resign over the crisis at NSFAS
# The City of Tshwane’s ratings shifts from negative to stable 
# And golf: DeChambeau holds the lead after a weather-affected opening round at the Masters

# The DA says it is shocked at the mess of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme. This comes as Higher Education and Training minister Blade Nzimande has dissolved the scheme’s board and placed it under administration. The board chairperson Ernest Khosa also resigned. The DA’s, Chantel King, says they are calling on the minister to resign over this crisis at the funding scheme:

Meanwhile, the EFF Students’ Command says it is not shocked at the dissolving of the scheme. Nzimande and Khosa are accused of receiving millions of rands in kickbacks from service providers contracted by the scheme. The EFF Students’ Command says it’s concerned that the scheme is still using corrupt and incompetent third-party service providers to distribute student allowances. It says students have fallen victim to the gross negligence and inefficiencies of the four direct payment service providers.

# The City of Tshwane welcomes the improved outlook from Moody’s Ratings, shifting from negative to stable. This follows a notice last month that the city’s rating was under review for a possible downgrade. This development will aid the municipality in stabilising its finances and accessing capital funding for infrastructure projects. Mayoral committee member for Finance Jacqui Uys says the city’s efforts to rebuild tax administration and submit audited financial statements have contributed to this positive shift, indicating progress in its turnaround plans:

# The United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan has launched an investigation into reports of repeated attacks on civilians and infrastructure, including hospitals and schools. This as the fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has killed thousands of civilians since it began in April last year. Over six-million people have been displaced internally while nearly 24-million need aid. The UN is calling on Sudan’s warring to commit to an immediate ceasefire and ensure unimpeded access to humanitarian assistance.

# Golf: American Bryson DeChambeau holds a one-shot lead over compatriot Scottie Scheffler after the opening round of the Masters at the Augusta National in Georgia. He finished on seven-under 65 as a storm-shortened the first day. Defending champion Spain’s Jon Rahm stuttered to an opening-round 73 as he bids to become the first back-to-back winner since Tiger Woods, who was one under with five holes remaining when play was suspended due to darkness. DeChambeau says the conditions were tough:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-82-cents and the euro at 20-rand-19-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-60-cents and Bitcoin trades at 70-thousand-730-dollars-53-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-337-dollars-71-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 90-dollars-45-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….